Goats gobble up discarded Christmas trees

The trees contain vitamin C, which helps the goats stay healthy, staff said

Goats at a Leicestershire animal sanctuary have been tucking into a stock of donated Christmas trees.

The Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary, in Markfield, appealed to people to bring their unwanted trees along to the charity.

More than 20 households responded after having a post-Christmas clear-out.

"The goats love munching on old Christmas trees," said sanctuary manager Maia Corbett.

The sanctuary said it had enough donated trees for now but the goats were working through the pile

"They are full of vitamin C and are really good for the goats," she added.

"They are also a great way for the goats to naturally de-worm because the trees are rough, so there are lots of health benefits, and it's a bit of variety for their diets.

"We only got eight goats and we had 25 trees in just a few days so we don't need any more just yet.

"But they are gobbling their way through them, so by the time many people take their decorations down on Twelfth Night, we might be ready for some more."

The sanctuary has thanked people for the donated trees